Premium
Nerve‐Sparing Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Metastatic Testicular Cancer
Author(s) -
Arai Yoichi,
Ishitoya Satoshi,
Okubo Kazutoshi,
Aoki Yoshitaka,
Okada Takashi,
Maeda Hiroshi,
Suzuki Yuji
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2042.1997.tb00291.x
Subject(s) - medicine , retroperitoneal lymph node dissection , testicular cancer , surgery , dissection (medical) , nerve sparing , retroperitoneal space , lymph node , cancer , chemotherapy , urology , prostate cancer , prostatectomy
Background : Nerve‐sparing techniques are used during retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in patients with early stage testicular cancer to preserve postoperative ejaculatory function. Indications for the procedures have been extended to patients with a postchemotherapy retroperitoneal residual mass without compromising the efficacy of surgery. We report 6 cases diagnosed with metastatic testicular cancer who underwent nerve‐sparing RPLND. Methods : Between January 1994 and March 1996, 6 patients with metastatic testicular cancer underwent nerve‐sparing RPLND. Five of these patients received primary chemotherapy and had a retroperitoneal residual mass. Four patients underwent complete bilateral RPLND and 2 underwent unilateral template surgery. Results : After a mean follow‐up of 18.7 months (range, 8 to 34), there have been no local recurrences and 5 (83%) patients report antegrade ejaculation. Conclusion : Nerve‐sparing RPLND is applicable for selected patients with metastatic testicular cancer without increasing the risk of local recurrence. Ejaculatory function is preserved in the majority of patients, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life in men who require such surgery.